Daryl

It's dark outside when Ava stirs on top of me; opening her pretty eyes with a smile on her face. I doubt she's slept since I seen her last so despite needing to check in with Rick I've let her rest. Last I heard they were just having another get together in town anyway.

She kisses me suddenly; erasing any thoughts of the group as my hands find her face and I deepen the kiss. I can't get enough of her; the girl who saved Judith's life - who saved my life.

"Ava," She looks down at me with a grin. "Hmm?"

"As much as I want to keep you to myself… we need to go find the others - see how Rick's handling this Pete asshole."

Her smile quickly fades to a pout as she lays her head on my chest; wrapping a thin arm around me. "You're right. I need to go mingle with the commoners - figure out where my place is here. When I told Deanna that I just met you guys and that the only reason I'm still alive is because I can out run the dead she brushed me off - more interested in talking to the leaders in your group."

I grunt my response as she finally sits up and gathers her discarded clothes; sliding her t-shirt on over her body. I grunt again and throw my legs over the bed. It's time to go to work.

X

Once we're outside I reach my hand out; offering my palm to her as she takes it with a smile. Her hand in mine feels soft and warm; like it's belonged there forever. We stroll down the deserted streets hand in hand noticing the large crowd gathered in the town center where they throw their ridiculous parties.

Just as we make it to the circle of onlookers the wife beater - Pete appears out of the darkness wielding Michonne's katana blade; yelling at Rick. My back goes stiff as Deanna's husband tries to intervene and gets his throat cut in the process. The next thirty seconds erupt in chaos with Abe throwing Pete on his stomach and Deanna falling to her knees beside her bleeding husband. I glance over at Ava who's bright eyes are to large for her face as Rick pulls his gun and shoots Pete dead by Alexandria's leaders command.

X

Ava

I knew we should have stayed at home. Instead of basking in the afterglow of amazing sex I'm standing in the middle of a blood bath.

Most of the townspeople have fled the seen in horror leaving only an elderly couple and a few others gathered around the center. I lock eyes on the newcomer - an older black man holding a long stick stares at Rick like he just slapped his mama. There's to many people to keep up with here. I give Daryl's hand a tight squeeze before slipping away from him and moving towards the elderly couple who seem to be in shock. The wife is clutching her pearls and the husband is just holding her; dumbfounded.

"Hey. Let me help you guys get back to your house. I think we've all had enough socializing tonight, don't you?"

The wife seems to snap out of her trace and look at me like I've sprouted another head.

"Who are you?"

"A friend of Spencer's; Deanna's son?"

"Oh, what a lovely young man. Is he alright? His poor father… and Jessie's husband. What kind of people has Deanna let in here?"

The kind that wouldn't think twice about killing you lady, let's move. I force my sweetest smile and usher the couple towards their home.

"Spencer's fine." I have no idea if that's the truth but if it gets granny walking I don't care. "As far as the new people… they're just trying to keep the peace, ya know? I heard Jessie's husband was a real jerk."

The little old lady clutches my arm and nods. "That poor girl and her children. They'll be better off without him."

I only nod in agreement; thankful when we finally get to their house and I can help them inside. "Thank you dear. What a horrible night." The woman calls as I jog down the steps.

Across the street a few traumatized kids are screaming as their father drags them away from the carnage. I make my way to dad who's at the end of his rope and kneel down to get eye level with his son. "Hey. Crazy night huh?" The kid stops screaming and stares at me; confused. I look over to his brother whose maybe a year older. "Which house is yours?"

The oldest kid points to a house at the end of the street. "I bet you can't beat me in a race to your front porch?" The younger kid brightens - forgetting about the chaos in the center for now at least as he takes off and I scramble after him. His big brother is hot on my heels and I ease back so he can pass - both tearing down the street to their porch. I stop a few feet away and wave; holding my chest like they really exerted me.

"You got me! Rematch tomorrow though!" I call as they laugh and stumble into the house. "Hey. Thank you. I didn't know how I was going to ever get them down the street."

"No problem." I assure dad and towards the town center. Daryl is talking to Rick while the others look on - Pete and Reg's bodies still laying in the street. Deanna is still on her knees above Reg and as far as I know no one has stabbed him in the brain yet. She's just waiting for her husband to reanimate and eat her face off.

I go to Deanna and kneel; keeping my eyes on her. "Let's get some air, ok?" I ask as she looks up at me with vacant eyes. She finally nods and gives me her blood soaked hand as I pull her to her feet and wrap my arm around her shoulders; turning her away from Reg as Abraham reads my mind and sticks a blade deep into his skull.

I remove Deanna from the carnage - walking slowly with her down the street until Spencer appears looking past us as Rick and the newcomer begin moving the bodies. He looks at me in shock and then at his mother; covered in blood with wide eyes.

"Pete… he… he killed Reg." She whispers to Spencer as he takes his mother from me; holding her close to his chest as he looks past us to the town center. "Get her inside, ok? She doesn't need to see anymore."

Spencer looks down at me like he's noticing me for the first time; tears welling in his eyes. "Get her cleaned up and in bed and don't leave her side tonight." I order him and he nods; pulling Deanna closer.

"T-thank you, Ava." He whispers - all the color leaving his face as he turns to their house and walks Deanna inside.

It's probably been twenty minutes but I feel like days have passed when I see Daryl again. "Are you alright?" He asks; searching my arm for any lesions. I wipe Reg's blood on my pants and nod. "Not mine." I assure quietly as he pulls me close to his chest and kisses the top of my head. When we turn back to the others half are staring in shock at his affection while the others smile despite the horror around them.

"Hey. I saw you help those people back to their house and get Deanna out of here. That was good thinking." Maggie's husband tells me. I think his name is Glenn? I've been here for almost two months and barely know any of the adults in Daryl's group.

In my defense they've all been busy with their own things and I've mostly been interested in Daryl - plus Rick's group is the kind to run towards the danger and I pride myself in running away from danger. It's how I've made it this far.

I don't know what to say so I can only smile; surprised when Daryl slips his hand in mine again. "Come on," He mutter's and begins moving towards Rick. Their fearless leader is arguing with someone that "we don't bury murders inside the walls" and I idly think that he'll never be buried in Alexandria either. "Hey." Rick turns to Daryl and exhales. He looks tired. "I'm going out in the morning for a supply run with Aaron and Glenn. I'll help ya get this cleaned up."

Rick shakes his head; noticing Daryl's holding onto my hand tightly. "No. This is my mess. Morgan said he'd help. Won't take us long. Go get some rest…." Rick turns to his group quickly. "We all need to get some sleep. It's been a long day."

I turn to take my leave only to have Rick call my name. "You helped the others get home? Helped Deanna?" He asks me and I nod; truly intimidated by this man before me. "Take Ava on the supply run tomorrow. She's proved she can keep a level head and watch your backs. You'll need the numbers."

I look up at Daryl who only nods as he's dismissed from the leader. Wow, my first real job in the apocalypse. Alexandria's own personal shopper. Daryl walks down the empty street without a word; lost in his own thoughts. I silently pray he's not thinking about leaving me again but the way his hand feels in mine reassures me we're on the right track. We walk in silence all the way to the hallway in our shared house and when I finally pull my hand from his to go to my own designated room he grunts; turning to look at me quickly.

"What are you doing?"

I swallow; trying my best to ignore his perfect voice. "Going to bed? What time should I be up for the run tomorrow?" Excitement buzzes in my bones about finally being able to go outside these walls but also being able to return. Daryl takes my hand again and pulls me close to his chest; leaning down so his words are just for me. "My bed is your bed now." He assures quietly as every hair rises on my body and I look up at him with a smile.

"Ok."

I let him guide me into the bedroom as he shuts the door behind us and turns the lock. Another thrill runs through me and it has nothing to do with leaving tomorrow.

"I really want to kiss you right now but I really need a shower."

"Why not both." Daryl assures me; running a hand over my cheek and into my hair - bringing my lips to his. I feel the stress of everything that's happened in the past hour melt away and there's only him and his skilled hands down my back and on my ass - lifting me up until I'm wrapped around his waist and he's walking to the bathroom. Once inside he sits me on the massive sink and leans into me; kissing me until my lungs burn for oxygen.

I finally pull away and sit back - resting my head on the large mirror behind me as I watch him turn the shower on and reach behind himself; pulling his shirt over his head carefully. A gasp leaves my throat as I sit up again; reaching out to touch a long scar that goes from his shoulder blade to the base of his spine; eyes going wide at the matching scars down his left side. He flinches at my touch.

"Oh my god, Daryl…"

"I told you mine and God's name don't belong together." He mutters; adjusting the temperature of the water before reaching for his belt and sliding it out of his pants quickly. I hop off the sink and pull my own shirt off; unbuttoning my jeans before sliding them down my legs. A minute later I'm standing in the spray of the warm water behind Daryl; eyes still fixated on his back.

I don't know what to ask first. Who did his to you or where can I find them? They deserve a slow death.

"My dad." He answers my unspoken question; letting his head hang as the water trails down his neck and shoulders. "Merle was always the loud one - running his mouth every chance he got. He'd get the old man riled up and then take off and I was the one left to take the beating for it."

I place my hand on his back; thankful for the shower stream as the water hides my tears and I kiss one of the longer marks softly - causing him to tense again. A second later he's facing me; lifting me to his chest as his eager mouth crashes against my own and my back hits the shower wall. Steam rises around us; warming my soul and Daryl doesn't hesitate this time - entering me with a low groan that liquifies my body. I am one with the steam as he moves; trusting into me desperately as I snake my arms around his neck and cry out - my moans muffled by his mouth on mine.

He's cussing again - or maybe praying as his release comes quick; filling me deeply and my own body tightens around him - fireworks exploding behind my closed eyes.

I groan as he pulls away suddenly and searches my face before he kisses me again hard on the mouth.

"Fuck," He whispers against my lips as my hands seek him - pulling him back in closer. "What the hell are you doing to me, girl?" Daryl continues and I moan again - forcing my tongue back into his mouth. I'm not ready for this to be over - I need him; every part of him and he swallows another groan as his fingers find my center.

X

Sometime later when my skin is all wrinkly and my eyes are too heavy Daryl carries me to the bed; pulling a clean t-shirt over my body as I lay back on a luxurious pillow.

Are we even in an apocalypse anymore? Maybe I died in that barn and was sent straight to Heaven for all my good deeds.

"Daryl…" I whisper; sleep is taking me fast. "Hmm?" He mutters from somewhere behind me and I feel the bed sink with his weight. A moment later he wraps a strong arm around my middle and brings me back to his chest; burying his face in the curve of my neck.

"I'm sorry your dad was such an asshole. No one deserves what he did to you." My words are heavy and drawn out. It's taking my last ounce of energy to speak from the heart. Daryl is to quiet and I feel the pull of sleep washing over me. "Daryl?" I say again and get another "hmm" for my trouble. "You would be easy to love."

His arm tightens around my middle but he makes me no comment and a second later this blissful non-apocalypse world fades to black.

X tbc… please review!